Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.
This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.
